Breadcrumb

Statement by Freedom from Torture CEO Sonya Sceats on Home Secretary Sajid Javid's response to refugees seeking asylum in the UK, January 2019.

"Persecution of dissidents and minorities is rife in Iran as we know from many years of treating Iranian torture survivors who have fled to the UK for safety.

The UK government is also acutely aware of the brutality of the Iranian state. That is why it is working around the clock to repatriate British nationals who have been targeted by Tehran.

It is morally and legally objectionable for Sajid Javid to cast doubt on whether any desperate Iranian and other arrivals are genuine refugees before their asylum claims have even been lodged, let alone considered by his department."